Café Asia: Best and Worst of Americanized Asian Food

The cavernous space that is Café Asia includes a similarly vast selection of Asian specialties ranging from Chinese to Japanese to Thai to Indonesian. The menu is incredibly affordable with appetizers ranging from $4-7 and entrees from $9-14. Both locations--on Eye Street in DC and on Wilson Blvd. in Arlington--have specials until 7:30 every night but Sunday. And with the Virginia smoking ban, the Arlington location is no longer filled with smoke during happy hour, during which a great selection of cheap draft beers, including Ichiban and Sam Seasonal (both $2.50), as well as a appetizers are on discount.

On the other hand, in trying to do all types of Asian food, they do not excel at any one. The sushi, made onsite, is mediocre. The service is hit or miss. The Arlington location tries to become a alterna-hipster (?) club at night, but Not being especially hip, I cannot speak to this last point.

Overall though this is a great bet for happy hour, takeout, or dinner with big groups of friends, given the array of choices and the budget friendly prices. B & I called in a (free) delivery order on Sunday night, which arrived right on time. $30 (including a tip) bought us two entrees and an appetizer, all of which were hot, flavorful, and filling.